Alex Popeand
Zoe Applegate
Tata SteelA Tata Steel worker has died after an incident at the company’s plant in Corby.
The firm confirmed earlier he was fatally injured at the Northamptonshire site, which has since been closed temporarily.
A spokesperson said it was investigating and “cooperating fully” with police and Health and Safety Executive (HSE), and added: “Our heartfelt sympathies go out to our colleague’s friends and family.”
Northamptonshire Police said it was called to the factory in Weldon Road at about 13:00 GMT to “reports of a sudden death”.
Tata said the site would be closed for 24 hours and the position would be reviewed on Wednesday.
Lee Barron, MP for Corby and East Northamptonshire, said it was “tragic news” and his thoughts were with the man’s friends and family.
“Nobody should ever go to work and not return home,” he said.
“I will be contacting his family to offer my heartfelt condolences and any support I can give.”
Stuart Ratcliffe/BBCSimon Rielly, the leader of Corby Town Council, said he was “deeply saddened”.
“This is a devastating loss, and our thoughts are with all who are grieving,” added Rielly, who is a Labour councillor.
“Corby’s identity has long been shaped by its steelworkers and their families.
“The workforce, and the unions that represent them, are part of the fabric of this town.
“When tragedy strikes at the workplace, it is felt not only across the site but across our whole community.”
“Our community stands together with the family, with the workforce, and with all those affected by this tragic event.”
An HSE spokesperson said it was working alongside Northamptonshire Police to establish what had happened.
The steel sector in Corby once employed thousands of workers in the town, but the figure now is about 500.
Employees and campaigners were devastated by the closure of most of its steelworks in the 1970s and 1980s, leading to an unemployment rate of 30% in Corby.
Tubes from the Tata Steel factory have previously been used in structures such the London Eye.
